12th December 2017 Monmouthshire Rural Transport Study 2nd draft report Introduction Introduction: purpose of commission The Study Brief Project method & reporting The study, commissioned by Monmouthshire County Council on behalf of the The project method comprised the following steps. This report is Value of Usk Local Action Group (Vale of Usk LAG) is to investigate the dynamics presented in relation to these 4 areas: of rural transport in Monmouthshire and Rural Newport. 1) Context setting: policy and context review, description of existing The Vale of Usk LAG recognises the need to address issues such as rural transport services, mapping of key demographic stats isolation, access to basic services, rural poverty and poor digital infrastructure. 2) Stakeholder and public consultation All of these issues can be supported through the improvement of rural 3) Identification of challenges, opportunities and potential types of transport. The study will bring together and consult with key stakeholders as solutions mentioned above to address the issues of rural poverty, isolation and improving 4) Recommendations access to digital infrastructure. Appendix A provides a range of good practice case studies featuring a variety of schemes that have sought to improve accessibility to services The study will include recommended cost effective solutions that will help and facilities in rural areas, or have sought to improve transport access. integrate transport with local services to alleviate issues such as: Rural isolation by helping connect those who have no means to getting to local services such as shops, doctors/hospital appointments, to socialise with others in their community and employment. Rural poverty by helping people reach advice surgeries, digital active areas, fresh produce and advice centres. Lack of digital infrastructure. By improving transport more people will be able to get to areas where there is free Wi-Fi such as village halls, local hubs and towns. 1. Setting the context Setting the Context: Background to the Vale of Usk Overview Population projections for Monmouthshire show that the population is The Vale of Usk comprises Monmouthshire county and the rural wards of ageing, with the proportion of residents aged over 65 expected to increase Newport, with a total population of 127,964 (1). The Vale of Usk concept was from 24% to 37% by 2039 and the population aged 85 and over is projected created by the Vale of Usk Local Action Group (LAG) as the areas are similar to increase from 3.1% to 8.7% (3). The county also has a lower than average in nature and have shared transport connections. proportion of young people. The region is a beautiful rural area located adjacent to the Brecon Beacons Monmouthshire has a strong volunteer base, both formal (63.3%) and and the Welsh Borders/Offa’s Dyke. Although predominantly rural in nature, informal (77.4%) (3). It is evident that neighbours, friends and families there are key service centres at Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow, informally volunteer by providing transport and practical help to access Caldicot, Caerleon, Usk, Magor and Gilwern, with the majority of the services. population concentrated around the M4 corridor and Abergavenny district. The Vale of Usk is an affluent part of Wales, with none of its constituent lower super output areas in the most deprived 10% in Wales (2014 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation). Monmouthshire and Newport both have relatively high proportions of economically active, 79% and 77% respectively (1). Although there is employment in the local area, there is also a strong element of out-commuting to other major centres such as Cardiff and Bristol. A significant proportion of Monmouthshire’s working age population work from home (8.9%) (2). Tourism plays a significant part in Monmouthshire's economy, contributing £165.5 million and 12.1% of employment in the region, higher than the Welsh average (9.6%). High proportions of employment are also in the public sector (33.3%) and retail/leisure (27.4%) (2). 1) Vale of Usk LAG, Vale of Usk Local Development Strategy, 2014 2) Monmouthshire County Council, Adopted Local Development Plan, 2014 3) Monmouthshire Public Service Board, Well-Being Assessment, 2017 Setting the Context: Maps of the area Vale of Usk wards Vale of Usk towns The Vale of Usk includes 47 wards, 5 of which are in Newport and the rest comprise Monmouthshire county. There are 8 towns in the region. Setting the Context: services and amenities in town centres Map showing service centres and key amenities The map shows that the majority of services are concentrated in the town centres, with Abergavenny and Chepstow being the best provided for . Some local villages have a limited number of services, namely post offices and convenience stores. Table showing facilities in town centres Service Abergavenny Chepstow Monmouth Caldicot Caerleon Usk Magor Gilwern Total Bus station 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Cinema 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 Community hall/centre 4 3 1 1 0 1 0 2 12 Convenience store 13 9 7 5 6 1 0 2 43 Day care 2 5 2 3 6 1 2 1 22 Further education 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 GP 3 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 15 Hospital 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 Independent school 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 Post office 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 1 14 Primary school 7 4 3 5 2 1 2 1 25 Secondary school 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 5 Sports hall/centre 1 2 4 4 2 0 0 0 13 Supermarket 2 3 2 3 0 1 2 0 13 Train station 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Total services 40 34 31 28 20 9 8 8 178 Setting the Context: rural accessibility Map showing population density Monmouthshire has a relatively low population density of 1.1 persons per hectare, compared to a Welsh average of 1.5 (Office for National Statistics). Additionally, only 53% of the population live in wards defined as being urban areas, reflecting the area’s predominantly rural nature (1). The map to the right shows Vale of Usk wards by population density, of which 32% have population densities lower than 1 person per hectare (2). As expected, the areas with higher population densities generally correspond to the town centres. Due to its rural nature, residents face difficulties accessing local services causing negative impacts on isolation and exclusion. This is reflected in the poor scoring for Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation in regard to access to services. Of the 75 lower super output areas in the Vale of Usk, 20% are in the most deprived 10% for access to services. These issues affect more vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young people disproportionately. 1) Monmouthshire County Council, Adopted Local Development Plan, 2014 2) 2011 census Setting the Context: rural accessibility Map showing rural accessibility deprivation Map showing ageing population Although the areas with the largest proportions of elderly people are not Llabadoc. These areas are also relatively more sparsely populated (see map classified as deprived in regard to access to services, there are areas which have previous slide) which is likely to accentuate these issues as this can lead to rural significant elderly populations and fall into this category. These areas are isolation to which the elderly are more vulnerable. situated in the middle of the Vale of Usk, and include Devauden, St Arvans and Setting the Context: Policy background Current policy lends support to improvements to rural accessibility and Vale of Usk Local Development Strategy (2014-2021) transport in Monmouthshire, Newport and the Vale of Usk. Monmouthshire County Council Adopted Local Development Plan The Local Development Strategy produced by the Vale of Usk Local Action (LDP) (2014) Group (LAG) states promoting social inclusion as its main objective: “To Newport City Council Local Development Plan develop a connected territory that links rural hubs and places through digital Monmouthshire well-being Assessment technology, up-skilling communities for community and social benefit whilst addressing poverty, exclusion and isolation”. As such, actions including training Community Led and Whole Place Plans such as ‘Seven for Severnside’, ‘Better Bryn-y-Cwm’ , The Narth & District in digital technology and e-learning opportunities are suggested as methods to Community Led Plan and Raglan Community Plan combat the social exclusion. Monmouthshire County Council Local Transport Plan Monmouthshire County Council’s Local Development Plan sets out the Council’s vision and objectives for the development and use of land within its Regional Transport Plan administrative area. The vision states that by 2021 Monmouth will be a place where “there is better access to local services, facilities and employment opportunities”. The LTP acknowledges the lack of realistic opportunities to car use in rural Monmouthshire, but places emphasis on improving the opportunities for sustainable travel through the ‘Achieving Sustainable Accessibility’ theme. These priorities are echoed in the Monmouthshire County Council Local Transport Plan in a detailed programme of actions such as improvements to the Severn Tunnel Junction and Active Travel Network in Magor and Undy. Policy background continued The Monmouthshire Well-Being Assessment Within the ‘Community Health and Well-Being’ theme in the Severn for The Monmouthshire Well-Being Assessment, produced by the Severnside Plan, improvements in access to health and well-being service Monmouthshire Public Service Board (PSB) provides an assessment of the provision and interventions designed to improve community health is state of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the area. prioritised. In addition to this, provision of enhanced facilities for young people Issues flagged include limited public transport and the ageing population.